E0221: Inuit- Knife, Ulu (Handle)

Ethnographic

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Identifier:

E0221A

Classification Category:

10:Unclassifiable Artifacts ➞ Multiple Use Artifact

Materials:

animal ➔ ivory
metal

Dimensions:

Provenance of Object:

This object was held in the museum that Luther College started in 1877. This museum eventually grew into the Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum, and following this, non-Norwegian American ethnographic objects were returned to Luther and accessioned into the college’s Anthropology Collection. Without additional documentation, was likely obtained by the Luther College Museum (later the Norwegian-American Museum) between the late 19th century and early 20th century.

Use/Function:

"Ulu knife is used to scrape the fat off a sealskin. A woman will also use the Ulu knife to cut the meat." - Alexander, Bryan and Cherry. (1995). What do we know about the Inuit?. Macdonald Young Books, New York. p. 25.
"The knife is handled by making the cut by pushing instead of drawing." - Murdoch, John. Point Barrow Expedition. p. 161.

Source Locality:

Alaska, USA

Description:

Inuit Ulu knife made of iron and ivory. Typically used by women for cooking, cutting, and cleaning animal hides.

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